Team 221 LLC. Universal Chassis In Stock

[Doug G]

Ok this is not so much about 221 as it is a comment on how things have changed and may continue to do so...

First of all I think it is good that the growth of FIRST has in a small sense grown a new marketplace for robotics (IFI/Vex, Lego, AndyMark, 221, to name a few). It has been a godsend for myself as an educator to have such a wealth of suppliers to turn to. We use many vex kits for our robotics class and if money were available - I would love to get a few of those 221 Universal Chassis' for students to learn with.

It is quite amazing to see how much has changed since I started in 2001. It was quite a challenge back then to get a decent driving machine out on the field, I remember so vividly how we struggled to find a way to mount those darn drill transmissions. Now it can be reasonably expected that a rookie team should be able to build a drive base using the kit chassis and gearboxes in a matter of a few days. Six wheel drive bases are now commonplace along with shifting trannies, mecanums and omnis. But this to me simply means the game will drastically change this year. FIRST is known to change things up, as they have already hinted about, and this will happen in 2009. 4 years of a relatively flat field is done. Is that 6 wheel chassis with 4" or 6" going to do you any good if you need to climb up a hill or cross a barrier?

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Doug G

Is that 6 wheel chassis with 4" or 6" going to do you any good if you need to climb up a hill or cross a barrier?

One can only wait and see.

We've never bought anything before kickoff. Maybe this year that'll pay off.

I personally hope they change the terrain of the playing field ... if only to "level" the playing field.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Doug G

FIRST is known to change things up, as they have already hinted about, and this will happen in 2009. 4 years of a relatively flat field is done. Is that 6 wheel chassis with 4" or 6" going to do you any good if you need to climb up a hill or cross a barrier?

I hope you are right. I think there almost has to be a step or ramp to get over, but I think it will be limited because the standard playing field is almost a must with the size that FRC has gotten.

[mark johnson]

This is a good thing ,as it will level the playing field and close the gap between the have and have nots. Its cheaper to buy parts ,than a mill and a lathe to be able to make them . If every team in first started with this same frame some teams still would do better than others ,because of better manipulators, programmers, team stradigities ect.. . Another plus though would be teams would have more time to work on manipulators, programming, and areas they lack in rather than have a bot that can barely move ,let alone do any of the other things needed to compete.

[IKE]

I personally think this would make a great Trial/Practice Chassis for teams that got their controls systems in. Build one of these babies up and you have a great practice chassis to play around with.

[sdcantrell56]

Originally Posted by IKE

I personally think this would make a great Trial/Practice Chassis for teams that got their controls systems in. Build one of these babies up and you have a great practice chassis to play around with.

That would be quite an expensive trial chassis. I don't know if my opinion is shared by many others, but I feel like the price of this chassis is quite prohibitive to most teams. Personally I could not imagine spending upwards of $1000 per chassis. I do think it is a nice solution and it certainly looks to be built well and is well thought out, but for most teams I just don't see how the cost could be justified.

[Bongle]

Originally Posted by IndySam

I hope you are right. I think there almost has to be a step or ramp to get over, but I think it will be limited because the standard playing field is almost a must with the size that FRC has gotten.

I always thought that large-footprint, fairly shallow pyramids would be a good obstacle. They'd be easy to make, stackable for easy shipping, and you could even make them somewhat mobile so teams could rearrange the terrain on the field during a match.

[Doug G]

Funny you should mention the pryamid structure idea. I was envisioning a similar obstacle(s) - but inverted. Going with the moon-fish hint - maybe a large elevated crater, like you see at mini-golf courses. Of course, back on topic, the drive train isn't affected unless it is a large "crater".

Also if you want to get into selling universal robot chassis that go beyond FIRST, I'd look into some all terrain options/solutions with suspension and pnuematic tires.

[Richard McClellan]

Originally Posted by Doug G

Funny you should mention the pryamid structure idea. I was envisioning a similar obstacle(s) - but inverted. Going with the moon-fish hint - maybe a large elevated crater, like you see at mini-golf courses. Of course, back on topic, the drive train isn't affected unless it is a large "crater".

Also if you want to get into selling universal robot chassis that go beyond FIRST, I'd look into some all terrain options/solutions with suspension and pnuematic tires.

One example of a commercial robot chassis for outdoor use is this one: http://www.gearseds.com/popup.php?product=33